Fr. Francisco V. Vicente, OP
Fr. Francisco V. Vicente, OP died peacefully on Saturday, June 17, 2017. The son of Justo and Felipa Vicente, Francisco was born and raised near the foothills of a long mountain range that divides the Castilian plains from the Extremadura region in Salamanca, Spain. He was born and baptized on April 2, 1929 in Martiago (Salamanca). As a boy, his mother took him on occasion to a shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, known as the “Peña de Francia” (The Rock of France) which was the tallest peak of the nearby mountains. There he was introduced to the friars of the Dominican Order. Francisco traced his Dominican vocation back to those friars whom he met on the top of that mountain. He entered the Dominican Order at the age of 19. He received the habit of the Order on October 1, 1948, professed simple vows on October 2, 1949, and solemn vows on October 2, 1952. In 1955, at the request of his Provincial, he was sent to the Western Dominican Province in Oakland, CA to complete his studies. He was ordained a priest on July 3, 1955 in Salamanca, Spain. He would spend the rest of his life serving in the Western Province.
Fr. Vicente, or “Frank” as he was known by some friars or friends, had three principal parochial assignments in his life in the Order: St. Peter Martyr in Pittsburg, CA, St. Mary Magdalen in Berkeley, CA and Holy Rosary Church in Antioch, CA; however, he would spend most of his life at his beloved Holy Rosary Church. He had expressed much gratitude to his provincials for being able to “serve the people of Holy Rosary that I love so much.”
In 1983, he was pulled from parish ministry to serve as Socius to the Master of the Dominican Order in Rome. He would serve there for nine years under Master Damian Byrne, OP. The two of them would become life-long friends. During his time as Socius, he traveled extensively throughout Europe, the United States and Latin America. He was given many difficult missions while serving in this post. In Rome, he was able to observe the inner workings of the Vatican itself. While there he became familiar with Pope St. John Paul II, who referred to him as “Padre Vicario” when they met on various occasions. He earned his Licentiate in canon law while in Rome and was able to put it to good use upon returning to the States as he served in the Diocese of Oakland as Judicial Vicar under Bishop John Cummins, another life-long friend.
However returning to Holy Rosary “was the best gift he ever received.” There he will be forever beloved as the warmhearted pastor who gave every ounce of his energy and love for his flock. Fr. Vicente was a Servant who emulated Jesus. His pastoral care was seen in so many ways, e.g., visiting the sick, counseling those with marital difficulties, hearing countless confessions, keeping vigil with the dying, advising troubled youth and parishioners, and especially celebrating the sacraments with them and for them. He celebrated weddings and baptisms for those parishioners who were at Holy Rosary when he first arrived, and then for their children—and then for their children! He was the consoling father during funerals, especially when tragedy struck. He was a simple man in many ways; but he displayed an extraordinary wisdom and a loving, gentle kindness when it came to dealing with everyday life. He was a beacon to children who were attracted to his warmth and love. Many parishioners will remember his strong support of Holy Rosary School and how he visited the School every day and greeted the children when they went home each evening.
He always referred to himself in the third person. It was heard a thousand times over throughout the years by young and old alike, with a thick Spanish accent, “Fr. Vicente loves you very much.” And this was always accompanied by a warm hug and even a peck on the cheek.
Although he left his native Spain to serve in the States, he never left his Spanish heritage behind. To the day he died, he kept his Spanish accent and his love for Spain and for his family who lived there. He always made his annual pilgrimage back home in July to spend the month with family and friends, especially his beloved brother, Fr. Isidore Vicente OP, who preceded him in death by only a few weeks. Fr. Vicente was also a spiritual father to the many Spanish-speaking parishioners at Holy Rosary. They loved him as one of their own.
Fr. Vicente once said, “I have been blessed so profoundly by God and by the people of God during my 50+ years as a priest of Jesus Christ.” He is irreplaceable and there will be forever a hole in our hearts because of his departure. But that same empty space will remind us of how we were loved and cherished by an endearing pastor who gave everything so as to be a bridge between God and his people. He will be dearly missed by his family in Spain, his Dominican brothers, his friends, and the parishioners of Holy Rosary Church. Rest in peace good and faithful servant!
To honor the memory of Fr. Vicente, donations to “www.opwest.org/frvicentememorial” will support the education of future priests and brothers of the Western Dominican Province.
Rosary Vigil: Wednesday, June 21st at 7:30 pm at Holy Rosary Church, Antioch, CA. Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, June 22nd at 10:00 am at Holy Rosary Church, Antioch, CA. A luncheon reception will follow immediately after Mass at Holy Rosary Church. Burial will follow the luncheon at 2:00 pm at St. Dominic’s Cemetery in Benicia, CA.